Feeler-motion for looms.



A E. RHOADF.S. FEELER MOTION FOR LOOMS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 11, I916.

Patented Jam: 21, 1919.

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALONZO n-nnonnns, or HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, n ssrenon, BY MES'NE Assum- ,MENTs, To nnarnn CORPORATION, or HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, A conrom- TION OF'MAIN'E.

To all whom it mag/powere- Be it known that I, ALONZO E. Rnonnns.

a citizen of the United States, residin at for filling replenishing looms, wherein a.

s iccification like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to feel'cr motions fresh supply of filling is furnished prior to the complete .exhaustionof that in the running shuttle. I

The amount of filling remaiulngon the filling carrier or bobbin when it is ejected from the loom should be as small. as poss ble'consistent with proper weaving conditions andthe formation. of full picks. This amount will depend directly upon the feeler motion which should detect the approachplenishment, ficient. filling operation for it sometimes happens "rier within the shuttle.

'ingeXhaustwn of filling and initiate replenislnn ent only when the desired degree of exhaustion 'hasbeen. reached. In some types of feeler motions, the feeler member contactswith and is held from move ment longitudinally of the shuttle so long as a Working supply of filling is present, but is displaced longitudinally of the shuttle whenthe filling supply is substantially exhausted. Many disturbing factors present themselves in the use of such feeler motions which tend. to curacy and reliability. It may happen at timesfthat the filling opposite the feeler may lay bare the bobbin and call for reto one side of the feeler con taoting position to continue the weaving 'a number of additional picks, and owing to the delicacy of the feeler action that the feeler Will call a change when there'yet remains in the shuttle a working supply.

An im' ortant feature of the present invention t erefore, consists in aplurality of feel er members movablc longitudinally ot the shuttle and held from-such movement by engagementwith the filling until the is substantially exhausted on a defeelers acting upon filling and it's car- In order that the tecting beat, each of said different ortions of the Specification of Letters Patent.

destroy their ac when there yet remainssutrEE nPL-MoTIoN' FOR 'riooms.

feeler members, of which there are prefer Patented Jan. 21,. 1919.

Application filed September 11, 1916-. Serial No. 119,413, I

ably two, i nay not call forchange whena full or working supply of filling is present in the shuttle the present invention provides' mea ns -for holding or locking the feeler members from movement longitudi' nally of the shuttle until just prior to substantial exhaustion of the filling, whereupon the holding means becomes ineffective and the feeler members are freed to the control of the filling and its carrier. Another important featureofthe present invention consists in causing the movement of the -feeler members inopposite directions longitudinally of the shuttle to position an actuator and. initiate filling replenishment as the lay beats up. i I

Another important feature .of thejpresent invention consists in mountin teeler lnen'i-bers so that when the filhngis substantially exhausted on a detecting beat, the direction of movement of the feeler members will be one of separatiomthereby the carrier, which m'ight in some cases prevent the delicate operation desirable in a feeler motion.

Other features of the invention will hereinat'ter be described in addition to those noted and then the several features Will be defined by the claims- In the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of a feeler motion detached from the 'loomand showinga good practical form of the invention.

Fig. is a plan view of the rear portion of the feeler motion, .parts being broken away. to show others beyond.

Fig. 3 isa perspective viewof a portion of the feeler motion and a shuttle .into which the feeler members enter through the usual slots, in the shuttle-box and side ofthe shuttle to detect the condition of the filling.

Fig. 4:1 is a view similar to that of Fig.

23, showing the two feeler members moved in opposite directions longitudinally of the construction with which feelers are associv ated to perform their detecting function.

It is usual in this type of feeler motion to provide the front wall of the shuttle-box as well as the front wall of the shuttle with a slot through which the feeler may enter as the lay makes a detecting beat, but as these features are well understood by those skilled in the art, the present illustration and description will be confined more es" sentially to the construction" and action of .the feeler motion itself.

The feeler supporting means or stand may be of any desired or preferred construction and as shown comprises the base and normally held in rear position by means of spring 6, but as will be clearly obvious to those skilled in the art the carrier 5 may be of any other desired type, its essential in this respect being to provide a support for the feeler members which is normally held in rear position and is movable toward and from the front of the loom.

. Mounted on the carrier 5, regardless of its particular construction are the two feelcr members. 6 and 7 which are characterized as having opposite movements longitudinally of the shuttle when the filling is substantially. exhausted on a detecting beat. In the present instance of the invention the feeler members are pivotally mounted at 8 and 9 respectively on the carrier 5 and are angularly formed, to provide engaging end portions 10 and 11, ofi'set from their respective pivotal mountings on the carrier, the construction being such that should the feeler members 6 and 7 be pushed frontwardly, or to the right, Fig. 1, by a substantially exhausted filling carrier or bob- .bin on a detecting beat of the lay, the feeler members will he moved in opposite directions longitudinally of the shuttle.

Each of the feeler members 6 and 7 has afrontwardly projecting portion 12 adapted to be engaged by the bifurcated end of a holder or .slide 13 connected to the feeler carrien Extending upwardly from the holder 13 is'a lug 14 into which is threaded t 1 rod'15, a set nut 16 being preferably employed to hold the rod 15 and lug 14 in their adjusted relation. In order-that the rod 15 may be better guided in its movement shoulder 20 or other suitable abutment con-r being adapte I stantial exhaustion, the end 21 of the rod nected to the rod 15, the construction being such that the spring 19 normally acts to move the rod 15 and its connected holder 13 rearwardly or toward the la The rod 15 is preferably provided with a blunt contacting end portion 21 which, at times, is adapted to engage a part movable with the lay when it makes its detecting beat, as will presently more fully appear.

The front end portion 12 of the feeler members 6 and 7 act as a stop for the rearward movement of the holder 13 under the action of the spring 19, and the front end portions of the feeler members 6 and. 7' are oppositel .1I1Clll1(d or beveled as at 22, a'substantial straight holdingportion 23 d for engagement between the corresponding straight portions 24' of the bifurcated end of the holder 13, the constructipn beingsuch that when the holder 13 is moved rearwardly into position.indi-' :ated by -Figs.;1,"2 and 3 the bifurcated end portion thereof embraces the front end por- 'tions of the feeler members 6 and 7 and prevents movement of the feeler members in opposite directions longitudinally of the shuttle. This is the condition and relation of parts during. normal weaving operations when afull working supply of filling is in the shuttle, substantially as indicated in. Fig. 3. r

\Vhen the filling becomes exhausted to a predetermined extent'and prior .to sub- 15 will be met by tliefront wall 25 ofthe L00 shuttle 26 or other part movable'with the lay when the lay makes its detecting beat,

'as indicated in Figml and the holder 13 will be moved frontwardly sufficient to enable the inclined or beveled front edges 22 of the feelermembers 6 and 7 'tovengage the oppositely inclined or beveled portions 27 of thebifurcated legs of the holder13, the construction being such that when the holder is thus moved by the rod 15 contacting with the shuttle or other part carried by the lay, should a working supply of filling still be present in the shuttle, the engaging end portions 10 and 11 of the feeler members 6 and? will sink into the filling mass and prevent movement of the feeler members longitudinally of the shuttle, even though atsuch times 'the holder or look 13 has been moved from. its full locking posil l tion. Should the filling be substantially exhausted at such times, however,,the end por- "tions' 10 and 11 of, the feeler members 6 and 7 will contact with the surface of the filling carrier or bo'bbin,2 8, as indicated in Fig. 4,' as the lay makes its. detecting beat, and will no longer be held" from movement in opposite directions longitudinally of the shuttle by the forward ush of the carrier or bobbin against the color mem-- hers, and said feeler members will thus be 130 moved. is, they are thus moved in oppo' site directionslongitudinally of the shuttle the inclined edges 22 at the front end portion of the feeler members (3 and 7 will engage the oppositely inclined or beveled ends 27 of the holder 13 and will move said holder 13 frontwardly by rating action under the forward push of the bobbin or filling carrier in the shuttle.

The movement of the feeler members 6 and 7 in opposite directions longitudinally of the shuttle due to the forward push of the filling car 'er or bobbin against the feeling members when the filling is substantially exhausted is utilized in the present inven tion to position a part for initiating filling replenishniient, as will now be explained.

Pivotally mounted upon thecarrier 5 at 29 is an actuator 30 having a fan-tailed end 31, which when the actuator 30 is swung to the right Fig. 3, into the position indicated in Fig. 1 is adapted to engage a finger 32 extending from the controller 33 connected to parts through which filling replenishment is efitected as will be understood by those skilled in the art. The connections between the controller 33 and the replenishing mech-- :inisin form no part ofthe present invention and being well understood by those familiar with loom construction such connections are not further described. i

The ctuator 30 is normally under the action of a light spring 34 which maintains the actuator in the position indicated in Fig.

with the side of the actuator in contact.

with base portion of the lug 17. Extending laterally from the actuator 30 1s-an arm or PIOJBCtlOn 35, which is extended into the path of movement ofthe holder 13 as the latter is moved ti-outwardly by the opposite movement of the feeler members 6 and 7, as

hereinbei ore described, the construction be ing such that when the filling in the shuttle has become used up to a pomt sufiicient to permit the end 21 of the rod 15 to engage the shuttle wall or other part as the lay beats up, the holder 13 will be moved frontwardly precterably into contact with the arm or iro'ection but will not move suliicientlv l l l far frontwardly to turn the actuator 30 into operative position. At this time the feeler members are unlocked and if a sutlicient amount of filling remains in the shuttle to continuethe weavingoperation the mass of filling will prevent movement of the feeler members (3 and 7 in opposite directions longitudinallvot the shuttle as the lay makes its detecting beat, and the tall 31 of the actuator will remain in inoperative position with resoect to thefinger 32 of the controller. biit when th tilting reaches substanti-al exhaustion, as,.-n.1dicated in Fig. hthe feeler members 6 and i' will be forced 1n opposite directions by the for rd push against the filling engaging ends of the their sepa:

. of the lay the carrier feeler-members, and such separating action ot the feeler members l3 and 7 will cause the inclined end portions 22 thereof to act upon the inclines 27 of the holder to further ush f tllfi holder 13 frontwardly and peritorce cause the actuator 30 to move-into operative position with respect to the finger 32 of the By movement of the feeler memberslongitudinally of the shuttlein opposite directions, it will be noted that the presence of a working supply of filling at either side of the contacting point of the feeler members, will interrupt their moiement in opposite directions longitudinally of the shuttle, until the Working supply has become sulliciently depleted to no longer effectively act'upon and prevent movement ofthe feeler members. I g

I "When the parts areni normal posit on as indicated In Fig. 1 the front or tail portion 31 of the actuator is engaged with the lug 36 secured to the feeler stanchbut when the carrier 5 is moved frontwardly under the action of the advancing lay the end of the actuator becomes freed from the lug 36 as indicated in Fig, 8; Should the actuator have been moved intooperative position, Fig. l by the trontward movement otthe holder 13 as alread Y described and inconsequence filling replenishment have been efiected, it is desirable to return the feeler members to their initial position as Well as also the holder 13 into locking relation therewith as the lay moves backafter replenishment. The spring 19 on the rod; 15 may not always be suihcient for this pur pose, therefore'the lug 36 is provided with an inclined portion 37 adapted to engage a reversely inclined portion 38 on the Trent or tail end of the actuator30 as the carrier 5 moves to initial position on the backward anovement 0t the lay. As theinclines 37 and 38 coact under the conditions described the actuator 30 will be positively thrown from the position in Fig. 4 to that of Fig, 1,

and the projection 35 from the actuator will move, the holder 13 into locking engagement withthe fnont end portions of the feeler fingers. l I I in the present embodiment of the'invcns tion the feeler fingers 6 arid 7 have overlapping filling engaging portions as indicated and the movement of the l'eeler members by the forward push against them when the filling is substantially exhausted is in a separated direetion but evidently this directional movement of'the t'eelers may be readily ehanged without departing from the true spirit of the invention.

Claims:

1. In a feeler motion for looms. the combination of a feeler slide. a plurality of t'eeler members movable longitudinally of the shuttle by t'i'ontward pressure and held from sueh movement by engagement with the filling until the filling is substantially exhausted, a lock for holding the feeler members from movement. longitudinally of the shuttle. aml means efl'eetive before the filling reaches substantial exhaustion to unlock the plurality of feeler members and free them to the eontrol ot' the filliiw.

2. In a feeler motion for looms. the combination of a feelcr carrier movable toward and from the front of the loom. two feeler members'mounted on said carrier for movement longitudinally of the shuttle and held from sneh movement on a detecting-beat by engagementwith the filling until the filling is substantially exhausted, a lock to prevent movement of the two feeler members longitudinally of the shuttle, and means rendered efi'ectivc before the filling reaehes substantial exhaustion to unlock the teeler members.

' 3. In a feeler motion for looms, the eombination of a earrier movable toward and from the front of-the'loom, two feeler memhers mounted on the earrier and movable in opposite directions by the flOlIi-Wfiltllfllh'll upon the feeler members when the fillingis' substantially exhausted on a deterting-bcat. a loek to prevent movement of the two feeler members in opposite direeti'ons longitudi- .nally of the shuttle, and means rendered etfeetive before the filling reaches substantial exhaustion to unlock the t'eele'r members.-

4. In a feeler motion for looms. the combmation of a earrier. two teeler members mounted on the earrier and movable.' the one toward one end of the shuttle and the other toward the opposite end of the shuttle, by the frontward push upon the feelermembers when the filling is. substantially exhausted on at detecting beat. and means controlled by the feelermembers for initiating filling replenishment.

5. In a fecler motion for looms. the eombination of a carrier. two feeler'members mounted thereon for movement in opposite directions longitmlinally of the. slmttle by the 't'rontward push against said members when the filling is substantially exhausted and an aetuator positioned by opposite movement of the two feeler members on a deteeting beat to initiate replenishment of filling.

(3. In a feeler motion for looms, the eombination of a vcarrier, two feeler members.

mounted thereon for movement in opposite alireetions longitudinally of the shuttle by the frontwa rd push against said members when the filling substantially exhausted. a lock to prevent movement of the feeler members in opposite directions and rendered inefi'eetive before the filling real-hes substantial exhaustion and' an aetuator positioned by 7 opposite movement of the two feeler members on a detecting beat to initiate filling replenishment.

T. In a feeler motion for looms. the combination of, a, carrier, two feeler members eonneeted to the carrier for movement in opposite direetions by the frontward push upon said members when the filling is substantially exhausted on a deteeting beat. a loek for preventing movement of the said members in opposite directions w the filling has-approached within a predetermined degree of e ltanstion and then rendered ineffective. and filling engaging portions on said members to prevent movement of the members in opposite directions after they have been released from the loek when a working supply of filling is present in the shuttle. 8. In a feeler motion for looms. the combination of a -arrier normally heltl in rearward position. two feeler members eonneeted to the carrier for movement in opposite directions by the fi'ont\\':1i'(l push upon said meinbers. when the filling is substantially exhausted, means for holding the t'eeler members from sueh opposite move ment until the filling has reaehed a prede' termined amount prior to snbstantialexhaustion and then freeing the members to such opposite movement, and means carried by the feeler members to engage the filling aml prevent movement ot'the members in oppositedirections when a working supply of filling is present after said members are freed from said holding means.

, 9. In a t'eeler-motion for looms. the eombination of a earrier normally held in rearward position. two t'eeler members eonnected' to the earrier for movement in opposite. directions by the frontward push upon said members. when the filling is substantially exhausted. means for holding the feeler members t'rom such opposite movement, until the filling has reached a' predetermined amount prior to substantial exhaustion and then freeing the members to sueh opposite movement,- and means carried by the feeler inelnbers to engage the filling and prevent thovement of the men-ilwrs in opposite direetion when a working supply of filling is present ai'ter said members are freed from said holding means. aml an actuator positioned by movement. of the fecler members in opposite direetions on .a detecting beat to initiate filling replenislnnent.

10. In a feeler mot-ion for looms, the combination of two feeler members mounted for movement in opposite directions by the frontwa-rd push against said members when the filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat, and provided with filling engaging portions to engage the filling at dif- ,;ferent points longitudinally of the filling carrier, and means for initiating filling replenishmentwhen said two members have been moved in opposite directions on a detecting beat. i

11. Ina feeler motion for looms, a carrier mounted for movement toward and from the front of the 100111, two 'feeler members connected to" the carrier for movement in opposite directions by the frontward push against said members when the filling is substantiallyexhausted on at detecting beat and provided with overlapping ends havingfilling engaging portions to engage the filling at different points longitudinally of the filling carrier, and means for initiating fill ing replenishment when said two members have been moved in opposite directions on a detecting beat. V

12. In a filling replenishing loom, the combination of a carrier, two feeler members connected to thecarrier for movement in opposite d1rect1ons when the filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat, an

actuator connected to the carrier, connections between the two feeler members and actuator to effect movement of the actuator into operative position by opposite movement of thefeeler members as the lay beats up, and means operative by the actuator for initiating filling replenishment.

13. In a filling replenishing loom, the combination of a'carrier, two feeler members connected to the carrierfor movement in opposite directions when the filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat, means to hold the two feeler members fromsuch movement until the filling'has reached a predetermined amount and to then free them to such movement, an actuator connected to the carrier, connections between the two feeler membens and actuator to efiect movement ofthe actuator into operat'fve'position by opposite movement of. the feeler members A as the lay beats up, and means operative by ment.

the actuator for initiating filling replenish- 14. A leeler motion for looms comprising, in combinatlon, a 'carrier movable toward and fro1n,"the-front of theloom, two feeler members pivotally mounted on the carrier; and displaced longitudinally of the shuttle in opposite directions by the frontward push against said' members when the filling is substantially exhausted, an actuator movable withthe earner and also movable into operative position by the movement of the feeler members in oppo ite directions on a detecting beat, and. acontroller actuated by the actuator movable to operative actuator when operatively positioned on a detecting beat of the lay for initiatingfilh ing replenislnnent.

A fecler motion for looms, comprisin in combination a carrier, two feeler members mounted on the -arrier for movement in opposite directions when the filhngis substantially exhausted on a detectlng beat, a part for holding said members from movement in opposite directions, means for moving saidpart from holding position when the filling reaches a predetermined amount prior to substantial exhaustion, said members acting to give additional moven'lent to said partby their movement in opposite directions an position by the additional movement of sa'i part, and

means actuated by the actuator when in.

operative position as the lay beats; up to nntlate fillmg-a'oplenlshment. a I

- 16. In a feeler motion for looms; theco n -Q for movement longitlulinally.of. the shuttle in opposite directions and heldfrom sucll'f,

movement by engagement. with the filling until substantial exhaustion thereof. and,

means rendered effective for replenishing."

filling when the feeler membcrs are moved;

rections on a detecting beat; .v

18. In a. feeler motion for looms, the com longitudinally of the shuttle in opposite dibination of a carrier movable toward and from the front of the loom, two leelermiembers on the carrier relatively movable-din" opposite directions and held from such movement by engagement with the filling until substantial exhaustion thereof, a lock to prevent movement oi. the feeier members in opposite directions until the filling reaches a predetermined degree of exhaustion andthen freeing the feeler men'lbers to the control of the filling,'and means for initiating replenishment of filling when the tender members are moved in opposite directions on a detecting beat.

19. In afeeler motion for looms, th comblnation or" two feeler members mounted for flmoven'lent in opposite directions longitiulinally of the shuttle and held from such movement engagement with the filling on a detecting beat until substantial exhaustion thereof, and an actuator positioned by movement of the feeler members in opposite directions to initiate filling replenishment.

20.- A fe-eler motion for looms, comprising, in combination, two feeler members movable in opposite directions longitudinally of the shuttle and provided with filling engaging portions to engage the filling at different points longitudinally of the filling carrier on a detecting beat and prevent movement of the feeler members in opposite directions until substantial exhaustion of filling, and means for initiating filling replenishment. when the feeler members have been moved in opposite directions.

21. A feel r motion for looms, compris- 1ng,1n combination, two teeler members mov-.

, able in opposite directions longitudinally of the shuttle and provided with filling engaging portions to engage the filling at different points longitudinally of the filling carrier on a detecting beat and prevent movement of the feeler members in opposite directions until substantial exhaustion of filling, means for locking the feeler members from move-- ment in opposite directions until the filling has been depleted to a predetermined amount and then freeing the feeler members to the control of the filling, and means for initiating filling replenishment, when the feeler members have been moved in opposite directions.

22. In a feeler motion for looms, the combination of a feeler carrier, two feeler members connected thereto for separating move ment of the engaging ends thereof in a' direction longitudinally of the shuttle by the frontward push thereon when the filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat, and a lock. for holding the two 'feeler memhers from such separating movement and to ("Fee them to such movement prior to substantial exhaustion of filling that they may thereafter be controlled as to such movement by the character of the surface engaged by the feeler members.

23. In a feeler motion for looms, theieonr bination of two feeler members mounted for separating movement in opposite directions longitudinally'of the shuttle and held from such movement by engagement with the filling until the filling is substantially exhausted, a lockto prevent separating movement of the feeler members in opposite directions and rendered ineffective before the filling t bers to revent se )aratin movementof the members in opposite directions after they have been released from the look when a working supply of filling is present in the shuttle.

25. In a feeler motion for looms, the combination of two feeler members movable longitudinally of the shuttle in opposite directions on at detecting beat and held from such movement by engagement with the filling until substantial exhaustion thereof, an actuator adapted to be moved into operative position when the feelermembers are moved longitudinally of the shuttle, and means for moving the actuator into inoperative position as the feeler members resume theirfeeling )osition after detection of substantial exhalistion of filling.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

ALONZO E. RHOADES. 

